Mothproofing and waterproofing composition



Patented Aug. 27, 1957 MOTHPROOFING AND WATERPROOFING COMPOSITION Vincent J. Keenan, Ardmore, Frank J. Gozlow, Philadelphia, and Robert E. Dean, Drcxel Hill, Pa., assignors to The Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsyivania No Drawin". Application June 15, 1954, Serial No. 436,975

3 Claims. 01. 106-15) The present invention relates to the mothproofing and waterproofing of fabrics. In a more specific aspect the present invention relates to an improved composition for simultaneously waterproofing and mothproofing fabrics.

It has been known in the past that fabrics used for clothing and other purposes may be waterproofed by treating the fabric with an emulsion of a wax-type waterproofing agent. It is also known that fabrics may be made moth resistant by treatment with an emulsion of an insecticide such as DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), etc. It would therefore appear to be highly desirable to treat a fabric with both types of treating agents to produce a fabric which is not only water resistant but moth resistant in addition. In order to accomplish this end, it has therefore been proposed that a fabric be treated with an emulsion of a waterproofing agent and an emulsion of a mothproofing agent. This proposed method comprises first treating the fabric with an aqueous emulsion of a waterproofing agent and thereafter treating the waterproofed fabric with an aqueous emulsion of a mothproofing agent. However, this process has not proven entirely satisfactory since it has been found that the application of the mothproofing emulsion has either removed part of the previously deposited waterproofing agent or increased the amount or" water which the fabric will absorb and retain.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method composition for mothproofing and waterproofing fabrics. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and composition for mothproofing a fabric which has previously been waterproofed. Another and further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and composition for simultaneously waterproofing and mothproofing a fabric which can be conducted in a single treating bath. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mothproofing composition which will not deleteriously affect the water resistant properties of the previously waterproofed fabric. Other and further objects of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art in the following detailed description of this invention.

It has been found that an emulsion type mothproofing composition containing an anionic emulsifier, and more specifically an amine salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid, may be applied to a fabric without deleteriously affecting the water resistant properties of the fabric. It has also been found in accordance with the present invention that fabrics may be simultaneously waterproofed and mothproofed by treating the fabric with a mixture of an emulsion of a Waterproofing agent and the novel mothproofing emulsions of the present invention.

A typical emulsifiable mothproofing composition suitable for use in accordance with the present invention has the following approximate composition: 25% DDT powder, 5% emulsifier, Xylene. It is obvious that other emulsifiable insecticidal compounds and other solvents may be employed in the above stated composition without departing from the generic concept forming the basis of the present invention. It is also obvious that slight variations in the concentrations of insecticide emulsifier and solvent may also be made. The emulsifiers heretofore used in the prior art have generally been non-ionic type emulsifiers such as polyethylene glycol alkyl aryl ethers and the like. In contrast to these non-ionic type emulsifiers, it has been found in accordance with the present invention that anionic type emulsifiers particularly amine salts of alkyl aryl sulfonic acids result in substantially improved water resistant properties when a cloth is to be treated with both mothproofing and waterproofing agents. In the application of the mothproofing concentrate to the fabric, the mothproofing concentrate is diluted with a sufficient amount of water and the fabric is treated with this solution for a time sufficient to deposit from about .3% to .S% by weight of mothproofing solids on the fabric.

A typical waterproofing concentrate suitable for use in accordance with the present invention has the following approximate composition: 67% water, 24% parafiin wax, 1% carnauba wax, 8% aluminum salt. Other wax type waterproofing agents are also suitable for use in accord ance with the present invention and the concentrations of ingredients set forth in the above mentioned composition may also be varied. In the application of this waterproofing composition to a fabric, the waterproofing concentrate is diluted with water and the fabric is immersed in the resultant solution fora time sufiicient to deposit from about 0.6 to 1.0% by Weight of waterproofing solids on the fabric.

Where a fabric is to be both mothproofed and waterproofed, it is generally desirable to employ the mothproofing concentrate and the waterproofing concentrate in the ratio of about 1:2. It has been found that the most economical treatment is provided when the minimum amount of insecticide required to give satisfactory mothproofing is employed and double that percentage of waterproofing agent is used. For example it has been found that concentrations of .3% mothproofing agent and .6% of waterproofing agent gave Water repellency values identical to .S% of mothproofing agent and 1% of Waterproofing agent. In fact, even increasing the composition to include 2% of mothproofing agent and 4% of waterproofing agent served only to raise the water repellency of the treated fabric by 5%.

in order to illustrate the advantages of the novel mothproofing composition of the present invention, the following examples are given: 2

EXAMPLE I Two batches of a mothproofing composition were prepared by mixing of DDT powder with of xylene and 5% of an emulsifier. One of these batches contained an amine salt of a sulfonic acid as the emulsifier and will be designated herein as the anionic concentrate while the other batch contained a non-ionic emulsifier which is a polyethylene glycol alkyl aryl ether and is available commercially as Triton X-lOO. These mothproofing concentrates were then mixed with equal volumes of water and agitated to form a creamy emulsion. The emulsified mothproofing concentrates were then added to a bath containing a Waterproofing concentrate composed of 67% water, 24% parafiin want, 1% carnauba, and 8% of an aluminum salt and the baths were diluted with water to produce the treating solutions shown in Table I below. In addition to these treating baths, the third treating bath was prepared by dissolving 4% of the waterproofing concentrate in water.

3 inch by 3 inch test samples were cut from a bolt of 18 ounce wool serge. The test samples were then immersed in a bath and gently worked for 1 minute. The samples were then removed and passed once through a wringer after which they were immediately weighed. The percent pick-up shown in Table I is calculated by subtracting the wet weight of the sample from the dry weight of the sample and dividing this difference by In addition to the data reported on Table I, it was also noted that the fabrics treated in accordance with the present invention had a substantially improved appearance over those treated with a solution containing the nonthe dry weight of the,; sample and multiplying by 100. ionic emulsifier. The samples treated with the solution The samples were then cured at a temperature of 300 containing the non-ionic emulsifier had a harsher and F. for 6 minutes and allowed to condition at room temmore wiry appearance than the samples treated with the perature and humidity for at least 4 hours before resolution containing the anionic emulsifiers of the present weighing. This weight was recorded as the cured weight. invention. The samples were then subjected to the immersion ab- EXAMPLE II sorption test." This test is described in detail in Federal Specification cCc T 191 S l O b 3, In order to further illustrate the advantages of the com- 1945, for textiles, general specifications, test methods, Position of the Present IHVFHUOH, a Second Serles of tests part III, 51; (2), summarily thi t t i a measure, f were made in which solutions were prepared as outlined the weight percent of water, based upon the weight of in Example I. A cloth was passed through the treating the original sample, which is absorbed by the treated solution continuously. The results obtained while contextile fabric when immersed in water. In order for a tinuously treating the cloth with a solution containing waterproofed and mothproofed fabric to be acceptable the non-ionic emulsifier are given in Table II below. when subjected to the immersion absorption test, the per- It is to be observed from Table II that the rewetting cent water pick-up or percent rewetting should be not 30 pick-up decreased with the passage of successive samples greater than the rewetting percentage of the untreated through the bath containing the non-ionic emulsifier. Alfabric. Therefore, an untreated sample of the same though these results would at first blush indicate that fabric employed in the other tests was also subjected to this treating solution improved during use, there are varithe immersion absorption test for comparative purposes ous disadvantages connected with this change during sucand the results of these tests are shown in Table I. cessive treatment. In the first instance, this change would It is to be observed from Table I that the rewetting make it extremely difi-"icult to obtain uniform results in percentage for the samples treated with the anionic cona continuous treating process. In addition, it was noted taming fimulslfief 0f the Prfisfint lnvefltloll dld 110i that the fabric appeared to have a natural affinity for 394% and was below the Yewettlng Percentage the non-ionic type emulsifiers and as a result the bath the untrefafid g on Pther hand i was continuously being depleted of emulsifier and evenig wlt e i i i i i g F 2 tually the emulsion exhibited a tendency to break. This 2 3 3 3 fgf gg g gz f z i s gg breaking of the emulsion results in the deposition of a white osit of DD on nearly twice that of the untreated fabric. It is also to h g g h P w be observed that the materials treated in accordance 30 0t er trea 6 Wu contammg with the present invention have a rewetting percentage the anionic emulsifier of the present invention gave conequivalent to h b i d f a sample treated i h sistent rewetting percentages throughout and there was no waterproofing agent alone containing no mothproofinginevldence 0f the deposltlofl of powdered DDT On the gredients. fabric.

Table I Impregnation Re-Wct Test Treating Solution Sample Initial Wet Pickup, Percent Average Cured Wet Pickup, Percent Average Number Weight, Weight, Grams Pickup Percent; Weight, Weight, Grams Pickup Percent Grams Grams Pickup Grains Grams Pickup 0.5% Mothproofing Cone 1 2. 0 4. 5 1. 0 73.1 2. 5173 3. 3250 0. 8107 32. 2 1.0% Waterproofing Cone" 2 2.0 4.7 1.3 02.1 73.5 2. 0014 3. 4510 0.7300 Anionic Emulsifier 3 2. 1 4. 1 2. 0 95. 4 2. 5526 3. 4080 0.8554 0.834% Motliproofing Comm 4 2. 7 4. 5 1.8 60.7 2. 0333 3. 5020 0. 0057 1.068% Waterproofing 00110.- 5 2. 0 4. 7 1. 8 62. 0 51. 3 2. 7142 3. 5430 0. 8238 Anionic Emulsifier 6 2. 9 4. 5 1. 6 55. 2 2. 7339 3. 5690 0. Sl 0.5% Mothproofing Conc 7 2. 0088 4. 3200 1. 4112 43. 0 2.9184 3. e070 0. 07s0 1.0% Waterproofing Oonc 8 2. 0; ti 4. 5080 1. 5054 53. 2 50.8 2. 9592 3. 8210 0. S018 Anionic Eniulslficr 9 2. 8011 4. 3005 1. 4484 50.6 2. 8713 3. 7370 0. 8657 10 2. 2003 2.8820 0.5017 25.8 2.2021 2. 5450 0.0150 4.0% Waterproofing Cone. Only- 11 2 2400 2.7720 0.5224 23.3 24.2 2.1600 2.8030 0. 7330 12 2. 2417 2 7710 0. 5203 23.0 2.1520 2.7770 0. 0241 0.5% Mothproofing Cone 13 2.1044 3. 3040 1.1000 54.8 2.1470 2. 0015 0. 3400 1.0% Waterproofing C0nc.. 14 2.2370 3.4340 1.1070 53.6 55.0 2.1837 2. 9300 0.7400 Anionic Einulsifier 15 2. 2402 3.3440 1.1038 49.2 2.1748 2. 9075 0. 7327 0.5% Mothproofing Cone.--

i0 2. 2003 4.0500 1.7507 76.5 2.3133 4. 0300 1. 7727 1.0%Watcrproofinu 00110.. 17 2.2001 5.0230 1. 0560 73.1 70.0 2. 2740 4. 0040 1. 720i Non-Ionic Emulsifiei' 1. l8 2. 2810 4. 0600 1.7850 78. 6 2. 2671 3. 0750 1.7070 10 2. 2785 a. 2600 0.0005 Untreated 20 2. 2086 3 0035 ass-10 21 2.1370 5 1450 0. 0571 Table I! I Improguation Re-Wct 'Ir-st Treating Solution A Sample Initial Wot: Pickup, Percent Average Cured Wet Pickup, Percent Average Number Weight, Weight, Grams Pickup Percent Weight, Weight, Grams Pickup Percent Grams Grains Pickup rains Grains Pickup 0.5% Mothproofing Coiic 1 2. 5053 4. 6710 2.1057 82.1 2. 4942 4. 4630 1.0088 1 1.0% Waterproofing Cont: g 2. 5614 5720 2. 10g gag 80.1 1.2170

. 2.0751 .7305 2. 7. 2 1.5 1. 7303 Non'wmc Emulsmr 5 EXAMPLE In In order to demonstrate the stability of the treating baths prepared in accordance with the present invention four treating solutions were made up. Two of these solutions contained 96 gram of water, 2 grams of waterproofing concentrate and 2 grams of the mothproofing agent of the present invention. The other two samples contained 92 grams of water, 4 grams of waterproofing agent and 4 grams of mothproofing agent. These treating solutions were permitted to stand over night and were then observed on the following day. The two baths containing 2 grams each of waterproofing concentrate and mothproofing concentrate were in good condition after standing. The other two baths containing larger amounts of mothproofing agent and water proofing agent showed a slight break of the emulsion over night with slight oil separation. However, no solids were precipitated out and the solution could be easily reemulsified by stirring. In addition to these tests, further tests were conducted in which treating baths prepared in accordance with the present invention were permitted to stand over night and samples of fabric were treated with these baths the following morning. The samples treated in accordance with this experiment showed a rewetting percentage of about 30.9% and there was no evidence of a white deposit on the treated samples.

We claim:

1. An improved mothproofing and waterproofing cornposition for treating fabrics consisting essentially of an aqueous emulsion containing small amounts of a mixture of a mothproofing concentrate consisting of about 25 percent by weight of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, 70 percent of xylene, and 5 percent of an anionic emulsifier consisting essentially of an amine salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid and a waterproofing composition consisting of about 67 percent of water, 24 percent of paraflin wax, 1 percent carnaubawax, and 8 percent of an aluminum salt.

2. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mothproofing composition and the waterproofing composition are present in a ratio of about 1:2.

3. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mothproofing composition is present in an amount of about 0.5% by weight of the total emulsion and the waterproofing composition is present in an amount of about 1% by weight of the total emulsion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,369,992 Treacy Feb. 20, 1945 2,402,351 Smith et al. June 18, 1946 2,448,910 Reamer Sept. 7, 1948 2,456,595 Road Dec. 14, 1948 2,556,300 Showalter June 12, 1951 2,635,055 Figdor Apr. 14, 1953 OTHER REFERENCES Soap and Sanitary Chemicals, of December 1947, page 171; 106-15 A. F. Atlas Surface Active Agents," Atlas Powder Co. (1948), page 49. 

1. AN IMPROVED MOTHPROOFING AND WATERPROOFING COMPOSITION FOR TREATING FABRICS CONSISTTING ESSENTIALLY OF AN AQUEOUS EMULSION CONTAINING SMALL AMOUNTS OF A MIXTURE OF A MOTHPROOFING CONCENTRATED CONSISTING OF ABOUT 25 PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF DICHLORO-DIPHENYL-TRICHLOROETHANE, 70 PERCENT OF XYLENE, AND 5 PERCENT OF AN ANIONIC EMULSIFIER CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF AN AMINE SALT ANIONIC EMULSISULFONIC ACID AND A WATERPROOFING COMPOSITION CONSISTING OF ABOUT 67 PERCENT OF WATER, 24 PERCENT OF PARAFFIN WAX,, 1 PERCENT CARNAUBA WAX, AND 8 PERCENT OF AN ALUMINUM SALT. 